One more good reason to move while we're doing mental work: we literally SEE things more clearly.
When we’re engaged in physical activity, our visual sense is sharpened, especially with regard to stimuli appearing in the periphery of our gaze.
When we’re engaged in physical activity, our visual sense is sharpened, especially with regard to stimuli appearing in the periphery of our gaze.
This shift, which is also found in non-human animals, makes evolutionary sense: the visual system becomes more sensitive when we are actively exploring our environment. When our bodies are at rest—that is,
sitting still in a chair—this heightened acuity is dialed down.
sitting still in a chair—this heightened acuity is dialed down.
Such activity-induced alterations in the way we process visual information constitute just one example of how moving our bodies changes the way we think. Scientists have long known that overall physical fitness
supports cognitive function.
supports cognitive function.
In recent years, however, researchers have begun to
explore an exciting additional possibility: that single bouts of physical activity can enhance our cognition in the short term. By moving our bodies in certain ways, that is, we’re immediately able to think more intelligently.
explore an exciting additional possibility: that single bouts of physical activity can enhance our cognition in the short term. By moving our bodies in certain ways, that is, we’re immediately able to think more intelligently.
—From the chapter "Thinking with Movement," in THE EXTENDED MIND.
#extendedmind
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